Leontius knew that they were truly ready to embrace the Christian faith.
When the rest of the soldiers arrived in Tripoli, they were met by Governor Hadrian, who was furious that Leontius had converted his men. He ordered Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus to renounce their faith and worship the Roman gods. When they refused, they were subjected to brutal tortures. Hypatius was raked with iron claws, Theodulus was beaten with rods, and all three were eventually beheaded for their steadfast faith in Christ.
Even in the face of intense suffering, Leontius never wavered in his commitment to Christ. Governor Hadrian tried to tempt him with promises of honor and rewards, but Leontius remained resolute. He was subjected to further tortures, including being suspended head downwards with a heavy stone around his neck. Despite the pain, Leontius refused to renounce his faith.
Finally, Governor Hadrian ordered that Leontius be beaten with rods until he died. His body was then thrown outside the city, but the Christians in Tripoli gave him a reverent burial near the city. The death of the holy martyrs Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus occurred between 70-79 AD.
The courage and steadfastness of these martyrs inspired many others to embrace the Christian faith, and their story continues to be remembered and honored to this day.
Leontius bravely proclaimed his faith in the All-holy Trinity before facing cruel torture and death at the hands of the evil Hadrian. His companions, Hypatius and Theodulus, also met the same fate for converting to Christianity. Despite enduring severe torment, Leontius remained steadfast in his beliefs, praying for God’s strength until the very end. An angel of the Lord appeared to him during his suffering, offering comfort and encouragement. Notarius, a witness to Leontius’ martyrdom, documented the events on lead tablets and placed them in the martyr’s grave. In the year 73 A.D., St. Leontius gave up his soul to God after enduring unimaginable pain for his faith.
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